Propeller apparatus



June 16, 1925.

M. c. NIXON PROPELLER umnmbs Filed April 12. 19 19 4' Sheets-Sheet 1 June; 16, 1925. 1,542,083

M. C. NIXON PROPELLER APPARATUS Filed April 12, 1919 4 S heetS-Sheet 2 I I III! WM: g w a 'June 16, 1925.

c. NIXON 'PROPELLER APPARATUS Filed April 12, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

M. C. NIXON PROPELLER APPARATUS June 16, 1925. 1,542,083

Filed April 12, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .lll

Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES MOSES c. NIXON, or CHICAGO, rumors.

1,542,083 PATENT OFFICE.

raornLLna arraaa'rus.

Application filed April 12, 1919. Serial N'o. 289,740.

My invention relates to im rovements in propeller apparatus, particu arly adapted for acres craft an anes, hydroplanes and other airmay be used in connection with water craftandother vehicles. The main object of the invention is toprovide means by which the force exerted by the propeller mayfbe varied or changed in a simple and eflicient manner, preferabl without necessarily varying the speed 0 the ropeller or the motive ower driving it. urther and more speci 0 objects, features and advantages will a pear from the detail description hereina ter given, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which il lustrate several forms of apparatus in which my improvements may be embodied.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a planview of a portion of an aeroplane embodying my invention in one form, in which the upper propeller blade and other parts are broken away to better show the construction; Fig. 2 is a section of the same, the nearer side and certain other parts being broken away to more clearly show others; Fig. 3 is an end view of the propeller shaft and associated parts; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the propeller and connecting parts, as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating modified operating means; Fig. 7 is a plan view of parts of an ap aratus illustrating my invention as embo ied in a modified form; Fig. 8 is a side view of the same parts, certain arts being broken awayto more learly il ustrate the o eration thereof; Fig. 9 is an end View 0 the propeller" shaft with associate arts; Fig.- 10 is a vertical section of the ocking device shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a side view illustrating a-modified form of locking device similar to that shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 10; Fig. 12 is a plan view illustrating a further modification; Fig. .13 is a side view of' parts shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a detailview illustrating a locking device, auxiliary to the locking device shown in Figs/12, 13 and 147; Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showmg another modification; Fig. 17 is a section of Fig. 16','the

nearer side and other parts being broken away; Fig. 18 is an end view of the propeller shaft and associate parts shown in Figs. 16'and 17; Fig. 19 is a transverse. section illustrating the brush, shown in Figs. 17 and 18; Fig. 20 is a side view of a propeller blade adapted to be used'in connection with my other improvements; Fig. 21 is an edge view of the same; Fi 22 is a detail view partly insection i ustrating "the securing of the blades, such. as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, to the hub; Fig. 23 is an end view of the blade shown in Figs. 20 and 21; Fig. 24 is a sectiontaken on the line 24 2 1 of Fig. 20; Fig. 25 is a section taken on the line 2525 of Fig. 20; Fig. 26 is a detail view, partly in section,

illustrating a modified method of securing the blades to the hub; Fig. 27 is a section taken on the line 27-27 of Fig. 26; Fig. 28 is a detail view partly in section illustrating the securing of a wooden blade to the hub; Fig. 29 is an end view, partly in section taken substantially on line 2929 of Fig. 28; Fig. 30 is a similar view but showing the parts in relatively different position; Fig. 31 is a side view showing another modified form of propeller blade and Fig. 32 is a section taken on the line 32-32 of 'Fig. 31.

In the drawings similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the difierent views; and referring to 1 to 5 inclusive, 33 represents part of the frame work of an aeroplane provided with a seat 34 and a propeller shaft 35 driven by any suitable motive power, not shown. On the end of the propeller shaft is rigidly secured a hub 36, as by key 37, which hub is provided with projections 38 to which are secured blades 39 (see also Figs. 26 and 27). Said rojections may be hollow as shown to re uce the weight thereof. The propeller blades are mounted on and adapted to pivot about the projections and held thereon by means of lugs 40 which engage co-operatlng lugs or projections 41 on ler blades are secured by a sort of a bayonet joint. To assure true alinement and prevent lost motion the projections 38 are trued up at 41 to conform to the outer c1r cumference of the lugs 40, and the aperture in the inner end of the blades and outside the lugs 41 is trued to fit the same.

Mounted to slide longitudinally on the hub, but forced to revolve therewith by means of splines 42, is a disc 43hav1ng a circumferential groove in which fits a circumferential band or collar 44, so that the collar moves longitudinally with the disc but is prevented from revolving therewith .by'rods 45. These rods are secured to the sides of the collar 44, as by bolts 46,- the rods passing through ears 47 on the hearing 48 of the propeller shaft 35. Said rods may be bent to any degree necessary to admit the motor between, or to avoid obstructions incident to construction, and extend rearwardly through bearings 49, and

at their rear ends are connected by a crosshead 50, into which a screw 51 operates, the screw being journaled in bearing 52, and is provided with a handle 53 for operating the same. The journal part of said screw is provided with a shoulder 51 on each side of the bearing 52, which prevents longitudinal movement of the screw and when turned by the handle operates in the crosshead 50 to move the same longitudinally of the frame so as to force the disc 43 and collar 44 backward and forward on the hub 36.

The disc 43 is connected with the propeller blades by links 54 and 55, and when the disc is moved backward and forward along the hub 36, the propeller blades will be pivoted on the projections 38, and the pitch or angle of the blades may be varied as desired, consequently, the propulsive force exerted by the propeller blades may be varied, direc-' tion of force reversed,'or reduced to neutral as desired, without varying the speed of the propeller or the motive power driving the same. In mounting the propeller blades on projections 38, it should be done in a manner so that in operation the pressure will be equalized as nearly as possible on each side of the projections on which they pivot, thereby facilitating their adjustment when changing their pitch or angle. It will be understood, that while the disc 43 and links 54 and 55 revolvewith the propeller ass rapes right 33 of the frame 33, and the screw 51 may be operated by a bevel gear 56 which in turn may be operated by a bevel gear 57 operated by handle 58 v(see Fig. 6). An operative connection may be made between the screw 51 and the collar 44 by a. rod rigidly secured to one side of the collar 44, such rod being bent so as to extend along the side of the frame and having a tubular piece rigidly secured to the end thereof. Said tubular piece being provided-with a screw thread adapted to be operated by the screw 51. In order that the operator may know to what extent the propeller blades have been shifted and thus know what pitch they have, I provide a scale 59. rigid with, the bearing 52 and an indicating pointer 60 secured to and carried by the cross-head 50, and, consequently, movable therewith and in co-operation with the scale will indicate the pitch the propeller blades have been. given. Referring to modification shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the hub 61 is rigidly secured to the propeller shaft 35, and extending therefrom are projections 62. Pivotally mounted on the projections are blades 63 with bearings at 64 and 65, and secured thereon by a nut 66 (see also Figs. 30 and 31). Said blades being provided each with a pin 67 operating in elongated'holes in rods 68, which rods slide .in suitable apertures in brackets or lugs 69 rigidly secured to the hub 61. The slidable rods or members 68 are rigidly secured at one end to projections 70 which are secured to and extend from the member 71 slidably mounted upon the shaft 35 and having a circumferential groove in which fits a ring extending inwardly from the collar 72. The member 71 and collar 72 move together so far as movement longitudinally of the propeller shaft is concerned, but

member 71 is permitted to revolve within collar 72 and with the propeller shaft. The collar 72 is rigidly secured on one side to the end of a member .73 passing through bearing 74. Member 73 is hollow, as shown in Fig. 10, and is provided with a pin 7 5 to which is secured one end of a spring 76, the other end of which is secured to a member 77, the other end of said member being secured to a chain 78. The member 73 is extended by suitable connecting pieces 79 and 80 secured rigidly to one another and at the end pivotally secured at 81 to a lever 82 provided with a handle 83. The members 79 and 80 are hollow and the chain 78 extends therethrough and at its end is connected to a rope 84 which passes over a pulley 85 and at its end is connected to a link 86 extended up along the lever 82 and is connected to a lever handle member 87. Upon operating the lever handle member about its pivot 88, a link 89 is raised against the action of the spring 90 so as to withdraw a latch 91 from the rack 92 and release the lever .82 so that it may be swung about its pivot 93 and thus cause the members 73, 79

and 80 to be moved back and forth so as to.

cause the member71 to be moved back and forth along-the propeller shaft and carries therewith the slidable rods 08 which by operating through the pins 67 cause the propeller blades 63 to pivot about the prof jections -62 thereby adjusting the itch of the propeller blades, and thus vary t e force.

. a spring 95 confined within cup 96 by cap 97 screw threaded thereon. The plunger 94 is adapted to operate in anyone of the plurality of holes 98 in the .slidable member 73 and when--engaged in any one of these holes it positively locks the member 73 from movement with respect to'the frame of the machine, to which the bearing 74 is rigidly secure in any suitable manner. The member 77 is provided with cam teeth 99 which co-operate with similar opposed cam teeth on a member 100 provided with pins 101 rigid therewith, which pins are directly op-' posite and adapted to be forced into the respective holes 98. When the chain 78 is pulled, the co-operatin cam faces on member 7 7 and 100 cause t e member 100 to be raised, as viewed in Fig. 10, so that the pins 101 are forced up into the holes 98 and will force the plunger 94 out of any of said holes in which it may be located, against Pins 102 are provided, rigid with the member 73, but having their free ends operatingfreely in apertures in the ends of the member 100, so that the member 100 is prevented from having any longitudinal or rotary movement in the member 7 3 and is confined to a lateral movement therein.

When it is desired to change the angle or pitch of the propeller blades, the handle lever 87 is operated to pull upon the chain 78 which causes the member 77 to be moved along the member 73 and the member 100 to be raised so as to force the pins 101 into the apertures 98 and thus force the plunger 94 out of any aperture in which it may be. Tliereupon the lever 82 may be swung to move the member 71 back? and forth and carry with it the slidable members 68 so as to change the pitch or angle of the propeller blades to the extent desired, whereupon the handle lever 87 is released and the lever 82 moved until the plunger 94 drops into the nearest hole 98 which will again cause the member 73 to berigidly locked with respect to the frame of the machine so that the propeller blades are locked in the adjusted position so far as their pitch is concerned.

and independent of the latch 91 and rack 92.

.Instead of providing the arrangement shown in Figs. 7 to 10 rfor additionally locking the blades in desired adjusted position, I may provide a rope or cord 103 (see Fig. 11) which is attached to member 87, passes over pully 103 at the point where the lever 82 is pivoted and thence to one end of the lever member 103 fulcrunied at 103 and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the plunger 94 at 104, so that the plunger 94 may be withdrawn from any of the apertures or holes 98 by mere operation of the handle lever 87 which causes the cord 100 to be pulled to raise the plunger 94 out of any hole 98 in which it may be. After which the lever 82 is operated to adjust the propeller blades to the pitch desired, the lever handle 87 is released and the lever 82 is moved until the plunger 94 is forced into the nearest hole 98' by the spring 95, whereupon the parts again become locked by the arrangement described.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 12 to 14, I show the inner end of the propeller blades 105 mounted upon the projections 62 that extend from the hub 106 said hub being rigidly secured to the 'propeller shaft 35. Extending from the hub are brackets or lugs 107 and 108 with apertures or holes therein and slidably mounted in said apertures -are pins 109 with a shoulder 110 thereon. On said pins are springs 111 with one end resting against the shoulder 110 and the other against bracket 107. Extending also from the hub 106 are brackets 112 with suitable apertures therein. On the propeller shaft is slidably mounted member 71 from which extend projections or lugs 113 and secured thereto are members 114 which are slidably mounted inthe apertures in brackets 112. Rigidly secured to members 114 and movable therewith are cam members 115 adapted to withdraw pins 109 from suitable co-operating apertures in the inner end of the propeller blades. That is, upon forcing the members 114 and 115 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 12 and 13, the cross. pins 116, which are secured to the end of pins 109, ride upon the cam members 115 and pulls upwardly against the action of the springs 111 so as to withdraw the p ns 109 from the co-operating holes in the propeller blades thereby releasing the blades and permitting them to be pivoted on pro ections 62. The members 114 are provided with slots 117 into which pins 118, rigidly se-v cured to the ends of the propeller blades, extend. hen the member 7 lie moved longitudinally of the shaft 35, as for example to the left, as viewed in Figs. 12 and 13,

the first part of the movement causes the pins 116 to ride up on the cam faces of the members 115 so as to withdraw the pins 109 This movement may be continued until the.

pins 116 drop into the center depression of the cam members 115 and the pins 10%) into corresponding apertures 10%) in the inner ends of the propeller blades, whereupon the propeller blades will be locked in neutral position and exert no driving'forcc in either direction. Further movement of the'members 114 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 12 and 13, will cause the pins 116 to again ride up on the top of the cam members 115 and again withdraw the pins 109 from locking engagement with the propeller blades. During this movement the pins 118 more. along the central straightaway portion of the slot 117. Further movement of the. members 114 to the left will cause the pins 118 to be engaged by the second curved portion of the slots 117 so that the pins 118, together with the blades 105, to which they are attached,

will again pivot in the same direction so as to bring the propeller blades in reversed position where they will propel in a. direction opposite to that of the first position. A further movement of the members 114 permits the pins to drop into the last or right hand end depression on the cam members so that the pins 109 are again forced into corresponding holes 109 in the inner ends of the propeller blades by the action of the springs 111 to lock the propeller blades in this position.

The locking device shown in Figs. 12 to 14 provides for locking thepropeller blades in only three positions, neutral, full drive forward, and the reverse, and as it may be desirable to have intermediate adjustments so as to produce a reduced force forward or back, without changing the speed of the propeller shaft or motor, for the purpose of shifting the position of the machine under .its own power, an auxiliary locking device has been devised, as shown in Fig. 15. In

construction, the brackets or lugs 107 and 108 are enlarged, each having an additional aperture therein, into which are rigidly secured bushings 119 and 120 respectively, and mounted in the bushings are pins 121 and rigid therewith are operating handles 122. The hubs of said handles fornrcams having an extended part 123, and mating therewith are similar cams formed by bushings 119 having a depression, indicated by dotted lines at .124. In operation the handles 122 are drawn to the left, as viewed in Fig. 15, and the action of the cams withdraws the pins 121 from suitable co-operating apertures in the inner end of the propeller blades and when the extended parts rest in depressions 124, they are securely held in that position by the action of the spring 125 and prevents the pins from interfering with the movement of the blades while being adjusted by the mechanism 'shown in Figs. 12.to 14. The object of the move. a non-rotatable collar 72 which carries with it in its longitudinal movement a rotatable member 71 (shown in Figs. 8, 12 and 13), from which extend projections 70. .lligidly secured to these projections are rods (13 which are adapted to slide in suitable a wrtures in the brackets or lugs 69 and engage pins (37 that extend from the inner ends of the propeller blades 63, so as to pivot the blades about the projections (12 in lhe manner as described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8. The blades 63* and the means of securing them to the projections 62 are described in eonnectionwith Figs. 20 to 25. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18, however, is provided electric magnets adapted to withdraw the locking pins 131 from locking engagementwith the propeller blades 63 when the magnets are energized. Said magnets being rigidly secured to the brackets 69 that extend from the hub 61, which lmb in turn is secured to the propeller shaft 35. For the purpose of energizing the magnets to remove the locking pins 131 so that the lever 82 may be operated to adjust the pitch of the propeller blades, a battery 132 is provided having a conductor 133 leading from one terminal thereof to a brush 134 (see also Fig. 19), which brush makes contact with an electric conducting ring 135 rigidly secured to the propeller shaft 35 but insulated therefrom by an insulating ring 130. The end of the propeller shaft is longitudinally apentnred and the conducting ring 135 has two electric conductors 137 elect-I'leally connected thereto. which conductors pass radially through the/ring 130 and the propeller shaft 35 to the central-aperture thereof out through the end of the propeller shaft and one each to one terminal of the magnets 130 respectively. The other terminal of the magnets is grounded to brackets or lugs 69 by means of conductors 1,542,oss

138. The other terminal of the battery 132 is connected by a conductor 139 to an electric contact 140 carried upon the upper end of the lever 82 but insulated therefrom. The lever handle 87 when operated to unlock the lever 82 from the rack 92, at the same time makes contact with the contact 140 so as to ground the other terminal of the batter and thus complete the circuit through t e magnet 130 whereupon the magnets are caused to withdraw the locking pins, against the action of suitable compression springs 141, from locking engagement with the ends of the propeller blades 63*. In Figs. 20 to 25 inclusive is shown a propeller blade 63 constructed wholly of metal, but hollow in order to reduceits weight and at the same time give rigidity and strength. The blade is shown secured to the hub 61 by being screw threaded at 64 on to the projection 62 on said hub. In Figs. 20 and 22 the lockingpins, which may be operated in any suitable manner, are indicated at 131 and the pins for causing the blades to be oscillated or adjusted to the desired pitch or angle areindicated at 67. In this arrangement the projection 62 extends Well into the interior of the blade and has a bearing 65 at its end. In Fig. 23 the series of holes in the inner end of the blade 63 for engagement with the locking pins at 131 are shown at 131,

In the arrangement shownin Figs. 26 and 27, the metallic propeller blade is shown as being secured to'projection 38 by interlocking lugs 40 and 41 previously described. If it is desired to use wooden blades a similar arrangement may be used for securing the same to the projection 38 on the hub 36 as illustrated in Fig. 28, wherein similar lugs 40 are provided on the projection 38 and co-operating therewith.are lugs 41 at the base of the socket member 160, and the base of the projection 38- and the outer part of the aperture in' the socket member at 41 are trued up to fit in the manner and for the purpose-previously described. The inner end of the wooden blade is provided with a metal bushing 161, the same being a driving fit so as to furnish'a solid bearing for the projection 38 and to facilitate the pivotal movement when the itch or angle of the blade is being ad'uste .The socket member 160 is provi ed with a base 162 into which the locking pin 163 extends and to which the operatin pin 164 is secured. It isalso rovided wit internal screw threads 165 an the end of the wooden pro eller blade is screwed therein as clearly s own in Fi 28, and secured therein by a transverse olt 166. In Figs. 29 and 30 the cooperatingrelationship of the lugs 40 and 41 is shown from a dlfierent angle. In Fig. 30 the propeller blade is' shown ashaving been oscillated to some extent but with lugs tion with a revoluble member off of the projection 38, if desired.- In Figs.

31 and 32 is shown another modified form of a blade in which there is a frame work 170.to the faces of which are suitably secured sheet metal members 171. This provides a rigid construction but very light in weight, and to mount it on the projection 62, it should be done before members 171 are secured in place, by passing the projection through the apertures in bearings 64 and 65 and secured'thereon by a nut 66, said nut may be secured against unscrewing in any suitable manner.

While I have described my improvements in great detail and with respect to several modifications, it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited to said details or forms since many other changes and mod-ifications may be made and the invention embodied in widely different forms without departing firom thelspirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

'1. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axle at right angles to the axis of said shaft, and releasable means resiliently actuated" to lock said blades in adjusted position carried by said shaft. v v

2. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble s aft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axle at right angles to the axis of said shaft, releasable means resiliently actuated to lock said blades in adjusted position carried by, the shaft, and means by which said locking means may be released. V

3. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a propeller blade adapted to be turned about its longitudinal axls, a looking member adapted to e \gage said blade, and a movable actuator provided with suitable. surfaces adapted to successively release said blade whereby the latter may be locked in adjusted osition, and means in connection with said actuator adapted to successively release said locking member.

5. In a propeller apparatus, the combina' axles therewith and ra 'ally extendrovided with ing therefrom, propeller blades circumferent-ially mounted upon said axles, means on the blades and the axles so arranged that the blades may be secured to the axles by a rotative movement, and means adapted to turn the propeller blades about said axles by which the position of the former may be adjusted.

6. In a propeller apparatus, the combinationof a revoluble member provided with axles rigid therewith and radially extending therefrom, propeller blades adapted to slip endwise onto said respective axles, means on the blades and the axles so arran ed that the blades may be secured to the ax es by a rotative movement, and means adapted to turn the propeller blades about said axles by which the position of the former may be adjusted.

7. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble member provided with axles rigid therewith and radially extending therefrom, propeller blades circumferentially mounted upon said axles, projections on said axles, and means associated with the propeller blades adapted to form interlocking engagement with said projections whereby the blades may be rotatably secured on the axles.

8. In a propeller apparatus, the combination wlth a propeller lade, a movable member adapted to turn said blade about its longitudinal axis, a locking member adapted to enga e said blade whereby the position of the atter may be secured, and means carried by the movable member by which the locking member my be released.

9. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, and common means on said shaft for turning said blades and for locking the same.

It). In a propeller apparatus, the combinatlon wlth a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on'said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, and a reciprocating member carried by said shaft and arranged to turn and lock said blades.

11. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, and a reciprocatlng member carried by saidshaft and arranged to release, turn and relock. said blades a plurality of times in succession while shifting from one extreme position to the other.

12.-In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, a reciprocating member carried by said shaft.- and arranged to release, turn and relock said blades a plurality of times in succession while shifting from one extreme position to the other, means for shifting said reciprocating member to any selected locking position of said blades, and means for locking said reciprocating member in such position.

13. In a propeller apparatus, the. combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted upon an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, the base of said blades being formed with an arcuate series of holes arranged concentric of its axis of adjustment, a locking member carried by said propeller shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, and means for releasing said locking member.

14. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of shaft, the base of said blades being formed with an arcuate series of holes arranged concentric of its axis of adjustment, a locking member carried by said shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, a cam carried by and mounted to slide longitudinally of said shaft and arranged to cooperate with said locking member, and means for sliding said cam.

15. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, the base of said blades each being formed adjacent one side with an arcuate series of holes arranged concentric of its axis of adjustment and provided adjacent the opposite side with a turning pin, a locking member for each blade carried by said propeller shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, means for disengaging said locking member, a sliding member carried by said shaft arranged to cooperate with said turning pins, and means for operating said sliding member.

16. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, the base of said blades each being formed adjacent one side with an arcuate series of holes arranged concentric of its axis of adjustment and provided adjacent the opposite side with a turn ing pin, a locking member for each blade carried by said shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, a frame carried by and mounted to slide axially of said shaft, said frame being cooperatively connected with said turning pins, cam means ltH) IUD

turning pin, a locking member for eachv blade carried by said shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, a member on said shaft arranged to slide axially thereof, said sliding member being cooperatively connected with said locking member and said turning pins,and means for operating said sliding member.

18. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted onsaid shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of said shaft, the, base of said blades each being formed adjacent one side with an arcuate series of holes arranged concentric of its axis of adjustment and provided adjacent the opposite side with a turning pin, a locking member for each blade carried by said shaft and arranged to cooperate with any one of said holes, a frame carried by and mounted to slide axially of said shaft, said frame including bars provided with a plurality of cam surfaces adapted to cooperate with said locking member to intermittently engage and disengage them and also bars provided with a plurality of contact faces arranged to intermit- ,tently cooperate with said turning pins during disengagement of said locking members, whereby said blades may be locked in 'different positions of adjustment and shifted from one position to another, and means for shifting said frame.

19. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble member provided with radially extending axles, said axles having a terminal cylindrical bearing portion, propeller blades rotatably .mounted on said axles, and projections on said axlesand mating means on the wall of the propeller blades forming interlocking en agement-whereby said blades may be rotata ly secured on said axles.

20. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble member, propeller blades secured to said member, reciprocating operating means ada ted to turn the proeller blades about t eir longitudinal axis or adjusting their position, and locking means applied to said reciprocating operating means whereby said blades may be secured in adjusted position.

21. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a reroluble member, propeller blades secured to said member, reciprocating operatmg means adapted to turn the propeller blades about t leir longitudinal axis for adjusting their position, locking means applied to said reciprocating operating means whereby said blades maybe secured in adjusted position, and means for releasing said locking means.

22. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with mechanism comprising a revoluble member provided with radially extended axles, propeller blades mounted on said axles and means adapted to turn said blades about said axles whereby the position of the blades may be adjusted, and releasable means carried by said mechanism and resiliently actuated to lock said blades in adjusted-position.

'23. In apropcller apparatus, the combination with mechanism comprising a revoluble member provided with radially extending axles, propeller blades mounted upon said axles and means adapted to, turn said blades about said axles whereby the position of the blades may be adjusted, releasable means carried by said mechanism and resiliently actuated to lock said blades in adjusted. position, and means by which said locking means may be released;

24. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mounted on said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted. about an axis at right angles to the axis of the revolubleshaft, means adapted to turn said-blades about their axis during rotation of said shaft, and releasable means carried by said shaft and resiliently actuated to lock said blades in adjusted position whereb said blades may be unyieldingly locked n extremes and intermediate positions, said locking means being operatable during rotation of said shaft.

25. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble shaft, propeller blades mountedon said shaft and arranged to be rotatably adjusted about an axis at right angles to the axis of the revoluble shaft, means adapted to turn said blades llU about their axis during rotation of' said 1 26. Ina ropeller ap aratus, the c'ombination with a ropeller b ade, a movable member adapted to turn said blade about" its longitudinal axis, and a locking member adapted to engage said blade whereby the tending therefrom, propeller bladescircum- .ferentially mounted upon said axles, means radially extending from sald' axles, and means extending inwardly from the walls of the propeller blades and adapted tofotrm 1ntin-locking engagement with the means on said axles whereby said blades may be rotatably secum -on saidaxles.

28. In ,a propeller; apparatus, the combination with a propeller blade, a movable member adapted to turn said blade about its longitudinal axis, and a locking member adapted to engage said blade whereby the latter may be secured in adjusted position.

29. In a propeller ap aratus, the combina-,

tion with a propeller b ade, a movable member adapted to' turn. saidblade about its longitudinal axis, a locking member adapted to engage said blade whereby the latter may be secured in adjusted position, and means carried by the movable member by which the lockin member may be released.

to turn said blade about its longitu inal axis, and means adapted to engage said blade whereby the latter may be secured in adjusted position.

31. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a ropeller blade, a movable member adapted to turn said blade about its longitudinal axis, a locking member adapted to secure said blade in adjusted position, and electro-magnetic means carried by, said aparatus by which the locking member may" rotatably adjusted about an axle at'right angles to the axis of said shaft, members enn a propeller apparatus, the combination with a propellerblade, means ada ted ne'eaoes gaging 'said blades movably associated with the shaft, and resilient means for holding said members in locking engagement wit 1: said blades.

34. In a. propeller apparatus, the combination with arevoluble shaft, a propeller blade associated with said shaft and arranged so thatitmay be turned about its longitudinal axis, a member engaging said blade for holding it in the desired position, and means electrically operated for withdrawing said" locking member from engagement with the blade.

35. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a propeller blade, means for turning said blade about its longitudinal axis, lockingmeans engaging .said bladefor securing it in adjusted position, and means electrically operated for releasing said lockmg means. N

36. In a propeller apparatus, the combination of a propeller blade mounted so that .it may be turned about its longitudinal axis, locking means engaging said blade for securin it in the desired position, and means electrically opera-ted for releasing said lock mg means. I

37. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revolu'ble member provided with radially extending axles, propeller blades mounted upon said axles, means adapted to rotatably adjust the position of said blades, means resiliently actuated for locking said blades in adjusted position.

38. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revohrble member provided with radially extending axles, propeller blades mounted upon said axles, means adapted to rotatably adjust the position of said blades, means resiliently actuated for locking said blades in adjusted position, and means by which said locking means may be released. I I

39. In a propeller apparatus, the combination with a revoluble member provided with radially extending axles propeller blades cireuinferentially mounted upon said axles, means adapted to rotatably adjust the position of said blades, means adapted to lock said blades in adjusted position, and means by which said locking means may l-e released.

MOSES C. NIXON. Witnesses:

S. M. NIXON, HARY SHIONEB. 

